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Letters Patent No. 78,195, dated May 26, 1868.

METHOD OF MOUNTING PHOTOGRAPHS AND BNGRAVINGS- flit: gdgshulr referral: to in ihtiit Etttters area m hating part at figs same.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: a

I Be it known that I, 'Jomv Ii. DUFFEE, of Washington, Districtof Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Moan ting Photographs, Engravings, or other Pictures; and I do hereby declare the-following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in the mode of mounting photographs or other pictures produced on paper, whereby a beautiful toneland efi'ect are given to them, not attainable by any known process, and which,

it is believed, will preserve the picture or engraving so treated for any length of time.

This mode of mounting pictures is particularly applicable to photographs, is very simple, easily performed by any operator in the photographic art, and isa great saving of time and money in the putting up of the pictures.

By my invention, also, agreat economy in-the cost of thepicturcs is effected, as it requires no expensive material, like porcelain or ivory, but, on the contrary, the cheapest and coarsest materials may be used, and the same efl'eot be produced as'with' porcelain, china, or ivory plates, in or upon almost any substance capable of receiving and retaining an opaque coating. V

- In order that others may understand the nature of my improvements, which, when applied to photographic pictures, produce what I call the Parian photograph and be able to use the same, 'I will proceed to particularly describe it. i l v l Itake any substance that affords a plain and even surface, and can be enamell ed or painted white, whether it be paper, glass, china,-or any form of earthenware,wood, stone, or metal, and having made the surface white p and smooth, by enamelling, painting, or other process,,I cover it vvith a mixture of clarified beeswax, balsam of fir, and spirits of turpentine, mixed, in about equal parts, softened by heat to such consistency that it will readily flow over and oil the surface, leaving a thin film remaining. ,The picture to be mounted, which'may'be an ordinary photograph, take'n and finished inthe usual manner, or an engraving, is then rendered translucent, bythe application of wax, varnish, or other suitable substance. Before the film of beeswax, balsam, and spirits,

of turpentine hardensfthe picture is placed upon the surface of the film, and pressedegently upon it, or, should it have hardened, it is softened bythe heatof a spirit-lamp, and, when sufiiciently soft, the picture laid upon it, and by the application of an even and gentle pressure it soon becomes 'fixed. The picture, after "being" thus mounted, is revarnished, and is then ready for coloring, which is done in any of the ordinary methods.

I'clo not wish toponfine myself to the use of wax, balsam of fir, and spirits of turpentine, as the backingmaterial, as other substances may be-substituted'for some or all of these, and produce similar effects in appearonce, but I name those materials as producing, in my opinion, the best efi'ects.

My invention consisting in the mounting of pictures by setting them upon an opaque backing, by means of a substance which renders the picture translucent or semi translucent, it is evident that the tint or color of the background will influence the appearance and tone of the picture, and therefore aifords 'a means-of cheaply producing a wide range of artistic and beautiful eifects. j

Having thus described the nature and object of my invention, together with the mode of operation, .what I claim is i a The modeof mounting photographic or other pictures produced upon paper, substantially as herein described.

.JOHN L. DUFFEE.

Witne'ssesz.

D. B. Vnn'rnn. B. D. 0. SMITH. a 

